Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)
 |
| Big Bad Wolf | |
|---|---|
 The 99-foot drop over the Rhine River. | |
| Busch Gardens Williamsburg | |
| Location | Busch Gardens Williamsburg |
| Park section | Oktoberfest |
| Coordinates | 37°14′00.5″N 76°38′41.5″W / 37.233472°N 76.644861°W |
| Status | Removed |
| Opening date | June 15, 1984 |
| Closing date | September 7, 2009 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Suspended |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Designer | Ron Toomer |
| Model | Suspended Swinging Coaster |
| Track layout | Terrain Coaster |
| Speed | 48 mph (77 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 3:00 |
The Big Bad Wolf was a suspended roller coaster in the Oktoberfest section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. First opened in 1984, the ride operated for 25 years and the ride closed on September 7, 2009. However, the supports, footings, queue line, and station are still there, but its track is in storage.
History
Prior to the construction of Big Bad Wolf, Anton Schwarzkopf had designed a prototype ("Flying Coaster") for the park. Even though three-quarters of the new ride had been built, the ride was never completed, and was later completely scrapped.[1] Busch Gardens then handed the contract to Arrow Dynamics, who built the current ride.
After the failure of The Bat at Kings Island, Arrow Dynamics refined its own suspended roller coaster concept and opened XLR-8 at Six Flags Astroworld in 1984. Big Bad Wolf was completed and opened shortly thereafter. XLR-8 continued to operate until the closure of Astroworld in 2005.
On July 24, 2009, it was announced that the Big Bad Wolf would be retired after 25 years of operation.
Ride experience
Following a safety announcement and departure messages from the ride operators, the ride would start out with a small dip out of the station, then ascend the first lift hill. It would then go down the first drop, reaching speeds of around 48 to 50 miles per hour (77 to 80 kilometres per hour). The train would then steer its way though a Bavarian village, narrowly missing houses and shops. The first section of the ride climaxed with a helix through a wooded area adjacent to the village.
The train then entered a set of brake runs in order to slow the train prior to the second lift. Following the brake, the track veered right, beginning to ascend the second lift hill. This chain lift took the riders up to a 100-foot (30 m) drop, which sent riders barreling straight towards the Rhine River at 48 miles per hour (77 kilometres per hour), swooping right above the water.
Originally, mist machines were used to enhance the effect that the train was too close to the water. A few years prior to the closing of the ride, however, those mist machines were removed. After passing by the mist machines, the train then twisted and turned and slowly made its way back to the station.
Technical information
The ride used three trains, each comprising seven cars with four seats in each, for a total capacity of 28 riders per train. During the circuit, the ride ascended two lift hills. The greatest G-force experienced during the ride was 4.[citation needed]
See also
References
External links
- Articles lacking sources from July 2008
- Removed roller coasters
- Roller coasters introduced in 1984
- Roller coasters that closed in 2009
- Steel roller coasters
- Suspended roller coasters
- Roller coasters manufactured by Arrow Dynamics
- Roller coasters that opened in 1984
- Roller coasters in Virginia
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg